>> live, local, latebreaking. this is wbal-tv 11 news at noon. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> the independence day celebrations are in full swing around the area. good afternoon, everyone. are big story is of course it is the fourth of july and there are celebrations all around the area today. the big event today takes place at the inner harbor. they are stepping up security.

last year's festivities were marked by the fatal stabbing of a tourist and a non-fatal stabbing of a four-year old boy. police tell us that recent experience with trouble caused by groups of young kids is working to their a bandage. >> we have made a lot more arrests for that behavior. that will be more consistent tomorrow night. people who are troublemakers or causing problems will be dealt with swiftly. >> the inner harbor will play host to a mobile command center which will allow officers to maintain security of the area. one of the first parade is underway right now. the celebration that has been around for nearly eight decades. >> it is a 78-year tradition.

>> the people are here so i get to see my friends. >> it is very exciting and i like seeing all of the different things in the parade. >> we got here at 5:00 this morning to get these spots. we do it every year. >> everyone here start their celebration with the first parade of the day in baltimore county. >> this is what makes it. so patriotic and everything. it makes you feel great. it does a lot for you on this day. >> we get them while we can stand the heat, and then we go and have our picnic. it is really great. >> the parade is a great way to

show patriotism. check out jazzmen's nail polish. jamie went all out this year. >> my grandfather fought for the flag. he has been gone for a long time. >> every year, the parade has 18. quite appropriately, this year is "welcome home our troops." >> supporting the troops, those who died. >> happy fourth of july! >> there are plenty of other fourth of july events going on around the area. you can see the fireworks displays at the inner harbor and many others. if you are planning on attending those celebrations,

we have a warning for you. keep your pets at home. >> it may attempting to have your entire family. it seems like a great idea. leave your pet in a familiar territory where they feel safe and. >> animals are usually more calm when they are kept inside the house. leaving on a light can add extra feelings of security. now for a look at today's fireworks forecast. >> lsia says i need a

compression the best to handle the fireworks tonight. it is hot out there. 90 degrees already. that is what it feels like with the humidity. 46%. the dewpoint is helping it feel more humid. we take you through the rest of the afternoon and evening. 96 degrees for baltimore. pottered downtown. a mix of sun and clouds this afternoon. a chance of scattered thunderstorms. we will have details when we come back with your 7-day forecast. >> a truck driver is in serious condition this afternoon after his company truck overturned in annapolis. police responded to the crash just after 6:30 this morning.

the victim worked with the company for more than five years. the accident seems to be mechanical in nature. they say the crash is still under investigation. slowly but surely, crews continue to make progress connecting more than half a million homes and businesses that lost power last week. 159,000 customers are still out of the dark. that number has been cut to 117,000. there are still 92,000 customers waiting for their light and air conditioning to come on. at least 22 people all across the nation have died as a result of the severe storms. officials are concerned about the improper use of generators.

>> use them safely. we recommend placing them at least 20 feet away from your home and make sure if it is not ventilating toward the house that would allow carbon monoxide to seep into your windows or doorways. >> carbon monoxide is a lethal because you cannot see it, smell it, or taste 8. -- or taste it. a watercraft was discovered unaccompanied near cox point just before 5:00 yesterday evening. the threat of storms forced them to call off the search. is state's newest casino hitting the jackpot when it comes to revenue. maryland live! took in more

than $28 million and paid $19 million in state taxes which is considered a huge boost for the program. >> with maryland live! opening, perryville was down and that was anticipated. because of the excitement and the intensity and around the maryland live! opening. >> the governor and house speaker met privately yesterday for a special session. consent this was not reached. coming up, the presidential candidates are celebrating the fourth of july. if you are still planning a trip to the growth restorer, we have the latest.

>> six families are staying in temporary housing after this three alarm fire displaced them from their homes. the fire began in the garage and took about 90 minutes until firefighters brought it under control. no injuries were reported.

presidential candidates are celebrating independence day. the president and first lady will host military families for a celebration including a barbecue and a concert on the white house lawn. still to come at noon, firing up the grill today. we have tips to keep it safe and alicia it. -- and delicious. >> it is turning out to be quite hot and humid. he does are coming up in the insta-weather plus forecast -- details are coming up in the insta-weather plus forecast. 17-mile per hour winds at the airport.

>> millions of americans say they are having a good old- fashioned cookout this independence day. more than 160 million people plan to hold or attend a barbecue or picnic which is the most ever in the survey's history. 35 million plan to go to a parade. if you are going out of town to celebrate, this is a great time to fill out your gas tank. there is even better news here in baltimore. a gallon of regular will cost you $3.23. when it comes to a barbecue, it

does not get any bigger than the fourth of july. this year, it is a mixed basket when it comes to cost. >> summertime, and the grilling is easy. >> i loved veggies on the grill like zucchini, peppers, things like that. >> i am a burger guy. >> i am a crab fanatic. >> we do beef brisket, at 10 or 12 hours. >> the overall cost will be a little easier on alert. according to a survey, americans will pay $59.14 for a grocery cart. down about $2 from last year. there has been an uptick in the priciest food items.

beef prices are up more than 5% over last year. drought conditions last summer are still impacting supply now. >> a lot of ranchers had to reduce their herd size. those disruptions take months or years to work their way through the market. >> keeping most costs in check is the recent dip in fuel costs. food inflation has eased slightly, which is good news for consumers. >> now, your 11 insta-weather plus forecast. >> hot and humid on this holiday. looking at the current temperature is right now, pushing into the 90's across the

metro area. 93 degrees downtown. even ocean city already pushing to about 87 degrees. you have to go to the mountains to see any relief. that is a pretty warm day. it feels even warmer when you factor in the humidity. the higher the number cannot the feels.mi, the more humid it you see what the thermometer says, and add a few degrees. feeling like 100 degrees already downtown. this is going to be a concern later into the day as it feels hotter than it actually is. high temperatures expected to get into the mid 90's this afternoon.

the current weather pattern showing that we have a few clouds across the area. a storm system to the north. other than that, not a whole lot going on in the east. that is allowing this warmer air to push in. we will stay hot for the next couple of days. this is the weather that is heading our way. this air will continue to push to the east. by next week, cooler air may come from canada. parts of seattle or even as you head into oregon, only in the 50's right now. pretty cool for a fourth of july. for tonight, warm and humid even as you watch the fireworks. temperature should be in the mid

80's. a chance for thunderstorms. will have to keep in mind if you plan to be outdoors the best chance to see and scattered thunderstorms you can always follow us on the internet at wbaltv.com or download our app in order to keep an eye on the radar. look at our temperatures for the next couple of days. cooling down by next week. >> as you enjoy the holiday cookout, make sure you take precautions against food poisoning. you have to be sure to have hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies nearby. when cooking meat, use a thermometer to make sure burgers are cooked to 160 degrees. experts say food should not be

left outside for more than an hour. leftovers should be stored in a cooler. researchers at the san antonio medical center collected data over five years and found rates of hospital and requirements went down. making them difficult to treat and very dangerous. experts believe sanitation plays a role in the decree's. state health officials estimate there are 7500 people in maryland who have hiv but do not know it. brian has the story. >> the fda has given the green light to the first over the counter hiv test that allows people to test themselves and get results at home. it is simple as a quick mouth swab and a 20-minute wait.

>> it is a very big deal because in the hands of every one to be able to gt an hiv test at home with no inconvenience whatsoever. >> more than 1 million people in the united states are believed to be affected by hiv, and one in five to not know it. >> this really puts the power to stop the hiv epidemic in the hands of every one of us. >> the test is about 92% accurate. home tests have been available since 1996, but most have involved blood tests that have to be mailed off to laboratories'.

activists worry what happens after someone test positive. >> we are concerned that someone will not have the information they need to deal with a positive result. >> it is a giant leap toward preventing the spread of hiv. >> up next, your maryland midday pick 3 and pick 4 lottery numbers. first, a look at how wall street is performing this hour. stay with us.

>> experts say penguins were not supposed to be at this beach. they are magellan penguin's that should be in much colder waters. their speed makes them tricky to catch. now, your maryland midday pick 3 and pick 4 lottery numbers. >> the maryland lottery -- let yourself play! >> your pick 3 numbers for today -- 4. another 4. 8, 4, 4.

coming up, your pick 4 game. 1. 4. 1. 9. 1, 4, 1, 9. the maryland lottery -- let yourself play! >> may be a thunderstorm late this evening. cooling down early next week. >> all right. thank you for joining us, everybody. have a great fourth of july.